Robert Silver Hiltner (1873)

Born 12 Jun 1873 in Lincoln, Lancaster, Nebraska, United States

Ancestors

Husband of May Clara (Crabtree) Hiltner — married 2 Sep 1903 in Lincoln, Lancaster, Nebraska, United States

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Biography

Robert was born in 1873 to Martin Hiltner and Martha Jukes in Lincoln, Nebraska.

At the University of Nebraska, in Lincoln, Robert earned his BS in Chemistry in 1894. During his undergraduate years, Robert was a corporal in Company A of the undergraduate infantry commanded by John J. Pershing. During his graduate years, Robert was first lieutenant of the cadet battalion. He earned his MA in 1896 with a chemistry thesis titled "The reaction of certain aldehydes upon phenyldimethylpyrazalone." His advisor was Hudson H. Nicholson.

From 1896 to 1898, Robert was the Assistant Chemist of the Nebraska Experiment Station. From 1898 to 1903, he was a Chemistry Instructor at the University of Nebraska.

In 1903, Robert married Clara Crabtree in Lincoln. They had at least two children. The first was born in DC and the second in Colorado.

From 1903 to 1906, Robert was a chemist for the Treasury Department in Washington DC. From 1906 to 1907, Robert was chemist and examiner of drugs for the U.S. Customs Service in Chicago.

From 1907 to 1910, Robert was a chemist with the U.S. Food and Drug Inspection Lab in Denver [1]. From 1910 to 1920, he was Chief of that Lab. In 1912, Robert published an article titled "Adulteration of Drugs" in the magazine The Pharmaceutical Era [2].

In 1920, Robert became Director of the Colorado Inspection Service for the National Canners Association.

By 1930, they were living in San Jose, California, where Robert was a chemist in the Fruit Industry.

American Men of Science: A Biographical Directory, by Dean R. Brimhall, 1921 [3]

Hiltner, R(obert) S(ilver), 570 High St, Denver, Colo. Chemistry. Lincoln, Nebr, June 12, 73. B.S, Nebraska, 94, fellow, 94-96, A.M, 96. Asst, chemist, Nebr. Exp. Sta, 96-98; instr. chem, Nebraska, 98-03; chemist, office supervising architect, Treasury Dept, 03-06; chemist and examiner of drugs, U.S. Customs Service, Chicago, 06-07; chemist, U.S. Food and Drug Inspection Lab, Denver, Colo, 07-10, chief, 10-20; director, Colo. inspection service, Nat. Canners Ass, 20- Chemist, Am. Beet Sugar Co, Chino, Calif, summer, 02. Chem. Soc. (sec'y and treas; Nebr. sect, 00, Colo. sect, 20)' Agr. Chem. Sugar analysis; mineral chemistry; technical chemistry; food and drug analysis

1880 Federal Census in Lincoln, Nebraska:

• ML [Martin] Hiltner 39 Contracter born Pennsylvania
• wife Mrs MA [Martha] 31 born England
• daughter ME [Martha] 9 born Nebraska
• son RS 6 [Robert] born Nebraska
• son ME 4 [Martin] born Nebraska
• daughter ME [Mary] 0 born Nebraska

1900 Federal Census in Lincoln, Nebraska:

• Martin Hiltner 60 Building Contracter born Pennsylvania (married 30 years)
• wife Martha 52 born England (married 30 years; 9 children, 7 living)
• son Sam 27 Chemist born Nebraska
• son Edwin 25 Chemist born Nebraska
• daughter Dusty 21 born Nebraska
• son Walter 19 born Nebraska
• son Joe K 17 born Nebraska
• daughter Florence 15 born Nebraska
• son Authur 13 born Nebraska

1910 Federal Census in Denver, Colorado:

• Robert S Hiltner 36 US Food Industry Chemist born Nebraska
• wife Mae C 32 born Nebraska
• son James R 5 born District of Columbia

1920 Federal Census in Denver, Colorado:

• Robert S Hiltner 45 U.S. Service Chemist born Nebraska
• wife May C 42 born Nebraska
• son James R 15 born District of Columbia
• daughter Martha E 7 born Colorado

1930 Federal Census in San Jose, California:

• Robert S Hiltner 56 Fruit Industry Chemist born Nebraska
• wife May C 52 born Nebraska
• daughter Martha E 17 born Colorado

Sources

• 1880 Federal Census [4]
• 1900 Federal Census [5]
• 1903 Nebraska Marriages gives parents as Martin L Hiltner and Martha A Jukes [6]
• 1910 Federal Census [7]
• 1918 US WWI Draft Registration Cards [8]
• 1920 Federal Census [9]
• 1930 Federal Census [10]